I tried to shake off the molten feelings still tumbling inside me from Devlin's touch, and, even more, my response. I turned away and walked toward the parrot cage, lifting its cover so the bird would stop his incessant mumbling.

"You don't think I'm going to trust one ordinary equine vet with this, do you? I have to consult the experts, get busy on it right away. Be an advocate for the poor animal."

Devlin rose and took me by my arms. He nodded, looking glum, hurt maybe, but as my eyes pleaded with him to understand, and Ramon cut the tension by squawking, "Hello, goodbye," he eventually smiled that wonderful crinkly-eyed smile of his. "I just wanted you to relax, forget it for a few minutes. Feel how much I care… But you're right, Ada, the timing is bad. I'm the selfish one. I took advantage. I shouldn't have pushed. I mean, we hardly know each other. Right? I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

Ramon ducked his head beneath a wing, a familiar gesture whenever he heard the word "sorry." I laughed a little, and so did Devlin. Before I could argue with him and end up sounding desperate, I looped my arm through his, turned and walked him to the front door.

"Research, huh?" he said with a grin still on his face.
I said, with a forced air of nonchalance, "Hannah showed me, you know, how to Google things on the computer, follow links and all. She's so good at it." I tried not to let out another little laugh imagining Devlin's daughter as my girlfriend. The irony of it.
Devlin cleared his throat. "But will you rest, then? After you do your research?"

"I promise," I said, staring at my stockinged feet on the marble floor. "I'll see you later. I'll call. You've been so--kind." He'd left then, and finally the parrot began to chide me as I slunk out of my jacket and took a step onto the thick Aubusson carpets.

Alone again.